three batteries, twin engine, 2 switches

[tylermckee]

Boat has three batteries, two size 24's and a 27, two perko switches and two volvo I/O.

Right now it is wired like the picture, so would the two smaller batteries be the starting batteries for each motor and the one larger battery be the house battery? or the other way around? all three batteries are dead and i need to replace them, wondering if the way the previous owner had it set up is ideal or if i should change it.

I did some searching but didn't end up finding anything with the same setup.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: three batteries, twin engine, 2 switches

Looks fine by me. There are certain alternators that don't like to be fighting with eachother in case you put both switches in the both position at the same time but really no need to do that. The setup allows the 27 battery to start either of the motors in case that particular engine's start battery got too low to start.

I am assuming that the battery in the center is the size 27 house battery. i would add another switch from the house to the loads that it feeds though.

 

[tylermckee]

Re: three batteries, twin engine, 2 switches

thanks, will do, i need to clean up and replace some of the wiring anyways. I know you should never turn the switch off with the engine running, so is it fine to switch positions with it running?

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: three batteries, twin engine, 2 switches

Looks good to me too. I'm guessing all your electrical is wired directly to the house battery right now?

The only drawback there is you can't combine the 3 batterys for charging when you are cruising.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: three batteries, twin engine, 2 switches

I know you should never turn the switch off with the engine running, so is it fine to switch positions with it running?

Yes and Yes.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: three batteries, twin engine, 2 switches

The only drawback there is you can't combine the 3 batterys for charging when you are cruising.

You can if you want. Just turn either switch to both or put in an ACR.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: three batteries, twin engine, 2 switches

You can if you want. Just turn either switch to both or put in an ACR.

Sure, if there is a combine option. Which probably all perko switches have

That diagram looked like 1,2,off to me.

 

[tylermckee]

Re: three batteries, twin engine, 2 switches

Sure, if there is a combine option. Which probably all perko switches have

That diagram looked like 1,2,off to me.

Its a standard 1/2/all/off perko switch, i just drew it as if you were looking at the back.

 

[tylermckee]

Re: three batteries, twin engine, 2 switches

anything wrong with running one starting battery for both engines and having the two for everything else? not like it takes much juice to fire one engine then the other.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: three batteries, twin engine, 2 switches

anything wrong with running one starting battery for both engines and having the two for everything else? not like it takes much juice to fire one engine then the other.

That's how I'm doing mine.... one group 27 to start genny and both engines and 3 (maybe more) group 31's for house